Snowbound & blue? Cooking up good flavors at the Grange will get you through!

Grange Notes for March 16, 2018 by Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help)

The Grange Hall was busy on March 3rd….

Alison Forrest led a baking workshop that filled the Grange Hall with great aromas!

We were pleased to put on an event that warmed up the Grange Hall, shared basic and advanced techniques, and produced a bountiful harvest of tasty loaves. With donations from King Arthur Flour and Hunger Mountain Co-op, plus the doughs which Alison prepared in advance, there was lots to work on.
We made cinnamon rolls, sourdough rye bread, whole-wheat bread–and bread sculptures, which you will see in the pictures below. Also fruit bread–not yeasted, but a quickbread–filled with an assortment of fruits and nuts.
Our turnout was lower than we hoped–but the production was impressive! An assortment of breads (on the left at the bottom) were delivered to theGood Samaritan Haven, in Barre, by organizer Merry Shernock, who arranged the contributions from King Arthur and the Co-op, along withMarj Power. Residents of the homeless shelter can be seen enjoying the donations in the right bottom picture.
We had room for more participants, but all those who came said that they would love to have more baking and cooking workshops–and one participant is already talking to Merry about an Indian cooking class! Keep checking the Grange Notes and the Calendar to see when the next event happens.

And Jeremy Hansen answered questions about CVI

A lively group of interested people from Central VT joined the Grange members after our business meeting, to discuss the “Central VT Internet” (a.k.a. CVI) service being organized by Berlin Selectboard member Jeremy Hansen. This is the proposal for a “community owned” provider of high-capacity, fiber-optic data service for all Central Vermont residents. The people who attended included people with internet businesses, people with slow home computer connections, plus media representatives. This issue has clearly touched a nerve!
Jeremy fielded questions about the business model, the technical specs, future governance of the community-owned “utility”, and much more. He described the structure and specs as intended to be very similar to the “EC Fiber” which is building out fiber-optic lines to homes and businesses in towns to the south of us–24 towns total. CVI’s actual corporate structure, bylaws and policies will be determined by a board which will include one member from each of the towns which join CVI, designated by the selectboards. Jeremy was clear that this would not be an instant process–forming the organization, raising funds through municipal revenue bonds, and then building out the fiber lines will all take time. Decisions will be made by the elected board, not by remote corporate interests who control many of the commercial services which currently provide broadband and DSL service to some areas.
Evidently town meeting voters found the plans appealing, as the motion to form CVI was passed in all 12 towns voting on March 6th. We will be asking Jeremy to come back and keep us posted on progress as the organization is formed and grows.

In between, the Grange met and talked about expenses and property lines, and sang!

Our monthly, 1st Saturday business meeting included the usual singing that we all enjoy, plus discussions of the costs of running our building–the winter always includes a lot of plowing and sanding–plus an introduction to the small property line discrepancy which, we expect we will be able to resolve with our neighbor behind the Grange property. Please join us to support the Grange and the Hall which provides space for so many activities–it doesn’t run itself! Our next meeting will be on April 7th…and see below for a special event, open to all!

So many muffins, so many tasty choices!

A quick search found recipes for apple spice, gluten-free, with oats, whole wheat, with nuts, with crumbles, and many more! Choose your favorite!

Baking contest time–at the April 7th Grange Meeting

Our next meeting will bring a chance to join in the baking fun–for those that want to get their hands floury–and for those who just like to eat tasty snacks. This year’s VT Grange Baking contest features APPLE MUFFINS.
Like last year’s Cinnamon Rolls, you can use ANY RECIPE that will impress our panel of CELEBRITY JUDGES! This year, the panel will feature:Lynn Spencer, Berlin Elementary art teacher & curator of the display of kids’ art on our walls.Anne Donahue, VT State Rep for Berlin & Northfield.Jeremy Hansen, Berlin Selectboard member, and organizer of Central VT Internet.
These brave volunteers will have to choose among all the entrants, with a variety of recipes, and come up with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners! Watch them struggle…and enjoy making your own taste tests at the Community Potluck Dinner which will follow at 6:00! All are welcome to join the contest (you do not have to be a Grange member) and to enjoy the food brought to share with us all.